Everyone
should start the new year with environmental resolutions to complement
the usual ones of losing weight, exercising more and vowing never to
watch another negative political advertisement. Last year I suggested
that students be the focus of our pledge, with the goal being to get
someone who is in school, from kindergarten to college, to complete
a checklist of six environmental resolutions. This year appears to be
a good one to focus on another group - political candidates and incumbents.

I recommend
that we each resolve to pick out someone who holds or hopes to hold
a political office and send them an email, a comment via their website
or by an old-fashioned letter. My congressman's site says, "Regrettably,
I am unable to reply to any email from constituents outside of the district."
Make sure you are sending the communication to someone you could actually
vote for (or against). Your message could read something like this:

As a voter
in upcoming elections, I would appreciate your considering the following
simple checklist of environmental resolutions in addition to whatever
resolutions you have already made for this year. Our natural habitats
and the native wildlife they support are important to me and my family,
and as you are representing us, please consider these suggestions. Two
are what any citizen should resolve to do this year. Two are ones in
which you can have direct influence through your political office.

1. Do whatever
you can to provide support for our National Park Service and the USFWS
National Wildlife Refuge System. Our national parks, seashores and wildlife
refuges are vital not only for preserving critical components of our
natural systems but also for providing endless opportunities for citizens
to learn about our native wildlife and appreciate what we have. Encourage
others to visit these protected sites by assuring that they are well-managed
ecologically from a conservation perspective and have well-maintained
facilities open to the public. A commitment to fund these programs should
be made by elected officials in all regions.

2. Do what
many of your constituents do as parents, grandparents, teachers or just
everyday citizens: encourage a child to join you on a trip to visit
a natural history museum, nature center, zoo or public aquarium. Many
such institutions are highly informative regarding basic environmental
topics such as endangered species and the importance of maintaining
wetlands, streams and rivers for all wildlife. By helping cultivate
a child's interest in nature, you might well make a lasting contribution
to environmental education beyond what you do in your capacity as an
elected official.

3. Another
exercise for all of us is to take a walk to enjoy trees, shrubs, birds,
insects and other forms of life. Often we take nature for granted, and
for someone in a position of responsibility to others, it is important
that you not let our natural legacy be infringed on by special interests
that benefit only a few. Are you doing what you should to protect our
native wildlife from the smallest to the largest? The unseen as well
as the obvious? Looking closely at the natural world around us is the
best way to gain an appreciation of what we have - and what we stand
to lose. You should be doing this along with the rest of us, and you
should let your voice be heard about the importance of preserving natural
habitats.

4. Give
this checklist to your political colleagues and ask them to follow your
example. The more elected officials pay attention to the natural world,
the better off our environment will be. When you check off this last
item, you will have kept some meaningful resolutions.

I plan
to vote for someone who views our natural heritage and a clean environment
as a priority for our community, region and nation. I trust you will
join me by completing this simple list of resolutions and supporting
programs that enhance this effort.